UCR Policies and Procedures

Campus Policy Number: 900-03

Carts, Motorized Use of

Policy Owner: Fleet Services

Effective Date: 01/01/2003

OVERVIEW
The guidelines posted here outline the policy on acquisition, operation and maintenance of university motorized cart vehicles

Purpose - This policy provides guidance regarding the acquisition and official business use of motorized cart vehicles on the UCR campus. The policy establishes a method for the university to track the registration of motorized cart vehicles, defines the official business use, and addresses the associated risk management issues.

Definition - This policy covers motorized vehicles including motorized carts and other 3- or 4-wheeled vehicles that are powered by electric or internal combustion motors. This policy does not apply to tractors, motorized wheelchairs, rented or personally owned motorized carts.

Applicability: This policy applies to all UCR employees and students who use the specified vehicles for official business. For policies applicable to authorized visitors, alumni or contractors, see Safety Guidelines: Operation of Rented or Personally-Owned Golf Carts-Type Vehicles by Authorized Visitors, Alumni or Contractors at: http://www.ehs.ucr.edu.

BACKGROUND
The campus interior has little available parking. As a result of this reduced access, we have seen an increase in the number of departments requesting the purchase of non-street legal golf carts and other motorized carts. Since motorized carts are likely to use interior access roads and park much closer to buildings and outlying areas of the campus, this policy is attempting to address issues of safety, long-term use, responsible replacement, registration and risk management issues inherent with these smaller vehicles.

POLICY ON AUTHORIZED USE

Valid Business - The acquisition and use of motorized cart vehicles with university funds is limited to UCR departments and operating units with official business use. Valid Official Business is defined as transporting personnel/equipment/supplies for University purposes and transporting employees/students with temporary or permanent disability-related needs. The use of motorized carts for individual transportation other than disability related needs is prohibited.

Driver's License - Operators of the motorized carts must have an official driver's license on their person and be authorized to operate university vehicles as outlined in Campus Policy Number 900-50, Use of University Vehicles.

Training - No one will operate the motorized cart without first being made familiar with its operation and safety features. It is the department's (supervisor) responsibility to assure employee awareness of safety features, and to exclude any employee who violates this policy from further use.

Vehicle Logo - All UCR-owned motorized cart vehicles must have an official University identification bearing the department's name clearly visible on the vehicle. Fleet Services will assist in applying the necessary logos.

APPROVED AND PROHIBITED AREAS

Approved Use on Campus - Motorized cart vehicles may be utilized as needed on streets and pathways provided:

The carts are street legal;

Carts are operated in a safe manner at all times under the prevailing conditions.

All applicable motor vehicle regulations are abided by. The use of non-street legal vehicles on the city streets is prohibited. Anyone violating this policy is subject to a traffic ticket and personally responsible for the cost of any fines.

Parking - Parking is allowed only on hard, covered surfaces (e.g., asphalt, concrete, brick).
The following is prohibited and will be subject to citation:

Blocking entrances to buildings, stairways, disability ramps, or main thoroughfares.

Chaining vehicles to trees.

ACQUISITION & DISPOSAL OF MOTORIZED CARTS

Purchase - Before a motorized cart can be purchased, it must be approved by the department head and coordinated through Fleet Services by submitting the form Request to Purchase Motorized Carts (click here). All motorized cart purchases will be made through the UCR Purchasing Department.

Minimum Requirements - Except for those motorized carts purchased prior to this policy (10/01/2002), all motorized carts must have at a minimum seatbelts, a windshield, headlights and taillights, brake lights, turn signals, a horn, a back up beeper, a manufacturer's designed and installed governor to control maximum speed, and a minimum of two mirrors (one fixed on the exterior of the driver side and one interior mirror). Vehicles purchased prior to this policy that are being replaced must meet these minimum requirements.

Disposal - Motorized carts will be disposed of in accordance with UCR Policy 750-99, University Property - Disposal & Use of and Business and Finance Bulletin 38, Disposal of Excess Material and Transfer of Federally-Funded University-Owned Material. The owner department needs to notify Fleet Services whenever a motorized cart vehicle is disposed of or transferred to another department.

Registration - New motorized cart vehicles must be delivered to the UCR Fleet Services for registration with the following information:

Fleet Services will be responsible for receiving the motorized carts when delivered.

Before releasing to the owning department, Fleet Services will inspect, assign a UCR number and, if applicable, license the motorized cart.

Through a request by the owning department, Fleet Services will order a gas card for gasoline powered motorized carts.

These services are provided on a recharge basis.

Identification - all UCR owned motorized carts must have an official University logo bearing the department's name clearly visible on the vehicle. UCR Fleet Services applies the logos to the vehicle.

SAFETY

General - Vehicles shall not be operated in a manner that may endanger passengers or other individuals or cause damage or harm to the UCR campus. Drivers are subject to citation for safety violations.

Cell Phones and Smoking - The use of cell phones or radios by driver in a moving motorized cart is prohibited. Smoking is prohibited at all times while seated in a motorized cart, or in refueling or charging areas.

Speed Limits - Operators shall not exceed speed limits for motorized vehicles. Operators must reduce speed on walkways, in pedestrian areas, while making turns and during inclement weather conditions. In crowded pedestrian areas, operators must park or proceed at a slow walking pace. Reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, or when on bumpy, wet, or soft surfaces.

Passenger Limit and Load Capacity - Do not exceed the passenger limit and load capacity designated by the vehicle's manufacturer.

Passenger Safety - Passengers must keep their head, legs and arms within the cab.

Seatbelts - Driver and passengers must wear seatbelts while the vehicle is in motion.

Carrying Cargo - Cargo must not extend more than one foot from either the side or the front. Cargo that extends more than three feet from the rear of the cart must be flagged with a bright colored material. All cargo must be secured.

Enforcement - UCR Police and Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) may cite drivers for violations. Motorized vehicles may be towed or otherwise disabled by UCR Police and TAPS. Additionally, failure to follow this policy may result in disciplinary action.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
All motorized carts will be maintained by Fleet Services and/or the dealer where purchased if under warranty. Motorized carts must be inspected every six months by Fleet Services for scheduled and preventive maintenance. Any motorized cart found unsafe to operate will not be released until repairs are made.

ACCIDENT REPORTING

Immediately report all vehicle accidents, damage or theft to UCR Police and the supervisor in the vehicle's department.

If any parties are injured, summon 911 immediately, and notify Risk Management as soon as possible.

Physical Plant, in coordination with Academic Planning and Budget, Environmental Health and Safety, and Fleet Services, will be responsible for identifying appropriate locations for charging stations and their installation. Approval is to be obtained from the UCR Fire Marshall located in the EH&S Department prior to making final decisions.

Electric vehicles will be recharged at locations designated for such use.

Use of extension cords from inside buildings to vehicles is prohibited.

EXCEPTION
Vehicles which have been purchased before October 1, 2002 are exempt from this policy. However, Fleet Services shall evaluate each existing motorized cart to determine road worthiness, general safety, identification and registration, the need/cost effectiveness of retrofitting equipment (for example: installing seatbelts) and advise in writing the owning department. The Service Enterprises Director may grant exceptions in unique situations.

FEEDBACK
If you have questions regarding this policy or need further clarification, contact the Service Enterprises Director.